Singapore has a very unique way of building strong bonds with other nations. Instead of just giving regular gifts, the country names new orchid flowers after important visitors. This practice is known as “orchid diplomacy”.
It helps build strong ties with other nations through beauty and nature. Orchid diplomacy is a gesture of friendship to promote goodwill between Singapore and its “best friends”. Today, more than 280 orchid hybrids carry the names of world leaders, royalty, and celebrities.
The History of Unique Diplomacy Strategy
According to BiblioAsia, a free quarterly publication by the National Library Board (NLB) of Singapore, the tradition of naming orchids after VIPs started in 1956. The first flower was named after Lady Anne Black, the wife of a British governor, Robert Black.
In 1957, the official VIP Orchid Naming Programme began. For a long time, orchids were usually named after the wives of visiting leaders. This was because people once thought gardening was mostly a hobby for women, while men did the work of statecraft.
In the 1980s, the program started to change. Male leaders began to receive orchids too, starting with Crown Prince Akihito of Japan in 1981.
Now, this honor is mostly for heads of state, government leaders, and royalty. The Singapore Botanic Gardens even has a special area called the VIP Orchid Garden where visitors can see these famous flowers.
If you wonder, can ordinary people or civilians have an orchid named after them?
The answer is no. These VIP orchids are also not for sale in the local or international market. The only place to see these beautiful and famous flowers is in the National Orchid Garden inside the Singapore Botanic Garden.
Orchid as Singapore’s National Flower
The most famous orchid is the Vanda Miss Joaquim, which is Singapore’s national flower. It was created in 1893 by Agnes Joaquim, a skilled gardener.
It was the first orchid hybrid recorded in Singapore and the first in the world created by a woman. In 1981, a committee picked this orchid to be the national symbol.
The flower was chosen because it is colorful, beautiful, and very resilient. It can bloom all year round, which represents the spirit of Singapore.
People can see this flower on Singapore's money, stamps, and even in architecture. It is now a symbol of national pride and multicultural harmony among all ethnic communities.
Famous People and Their Orchids
Many famous leaders have a flower named after them. In 1985, the “Iron Lady,” Margaret Thatcher, had an orchid chosen for its vigour and strength. Nelson Mandela received a bright orange-red orchid in 1997 to match the colors of the South African flag.
In 2016, a hybrid named after Barack and Michelle Obama was created by mixing flowers from Singapore and Hawaii, which is where the former President was born. More recently, in 2024, Pope Francis was honored with a serene white orchid.
However, it is not just for politicians. Some pop stars like Jackie Chan, Shah Rukh Khan, and Serena Williams have their own orchids too. Even a young 14-year-old girl, Bindi Irwin, has a namesake flower.
